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John West Killary Gaelforce

Thu, 18 August 2016

John West Killary Gaelforce

The John West Killary Gaelforce is the biggest adventure sport challenge of the year and sees athletes take on sixty-seven kilometres of running, walking, cycling an kayaking. The John West Killary Gaelforce trail takes you from Glassilaun beach in County Galway to the heritage town of Westport in County Mayo and it kicks off at dawn this Saturday (20.08.16)!

Mountain trail running or walking, cycling and kayaking

The terrain includes mountain scree, bogland, trails, sealed roads and the majestic waters of Killary Fjord.

Connemara, Killary Fjord, Croagh Patrick and Westport

These are only some of the highlights of a route that provides a combination of natural challenges 
and breathtaking views that will test and delight you, regardless of your fitness level or your focus.

The Detailed Breakdown: 

STAGE 1: BEACH, TRAIL AND ROAD RUN (13KM)

Start line at Glassilaun beach in Connemara. Continue by road around Little Killary Harbour and then over the hillside into Killary Fjord. Make your way along the old Famine greenway, muddy and uneven underfoot, to the shore below Killary Adventure Centre and the kayak transition area.

 STAGE 2: KAYAKING ACROSS KILLARY HARBOUR (1KM)

Kayak from the southern shore of Killary Fjord to its northern shore in a two-man sit-on-top with the next competitor to you.

 STAGE 3: TRAIL AND ROAD RUN (3.5KM)

Disembarking onto the foothills of Mweelrea, with tufted long grass and boggy holes underfoot. Next on to  a laneway and eventually a narrow road leading you to Delphi Mountain Resort.

 STAGE 4: CYCLING (33.5KM)

Leaving the Delphi valley and heading for Drummin, spectacular hills to climb and extreme care needed on the downhills. Expect severe corners and narrow country roads. On to a gradual climb up to the back of Croagh Patrick and the transition area. The final 2km of this section is on a loose-stoned and rough forestry track. Punctures possible on a road bike.

STAGE 5: MOUNTAIN RUN/HIKE (4.5KM)

Croagh Patrick (764m). Stay on the path and take care on the top section of this mountain as it has a lot of loose stones. If you do not reach the transition here by 2.00pm, you will not be allowed to ascend the mountain and you will be short coursed back to Westport.

Killary Gaelforce would like to acknowledge and thank all of the land owners of the Croagh Patrick mountain for the continued support of Gaelforce West, without which the event could not happen. Killary Gaelforce would like to share the ethos of care on Croagh Patrick with you our competitors. We ask that all competitors ensure that they 'Leave No Trace' on the mountain and that what they bring up with them MUST come down. We also encourage you to read the Mayo Mountain Rescue safety guidelines when climbing Croagh Patrick.

STAGE 6: CYCLING (10.5KM)

Always obey the rules of the road. Sealed road first and then onto a very rough off-road trail section that is 2 km long. Expect to carry road bikes over parts of this section. Coming off this there is a steep downhill section on a narrow road. Please take care on this section and watch out for traffic and fellow competitors.

 STAGE 7: FINAL RUN

You will cycle to the bike drop on the grass area by the lake at the quay in Westport where you will leave your bike. The final run through part of the grounds of Westport House brings you to the finish line in Westport Leisure Park in Westport town centre.